UN's Special Representative for the Prevention of Violence Against Children

A meeting of the UN's Special Reprresentative to the Secretary General (SRSG) to Prevent Violence Against Children, Ms. Marta Santos Pais, her Special Assistant, Mr. Joost Koojmans, Director of UN Washington Office, Mr. Rodney Bent, and US Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and his Senior Policy Advisor, Ms. Jodi B. Herman and the League's UN Observer, Ms. Rosalee Keech was conducted 11 July, 2012. The SRSG provided background information concerning the UN's mandate to prevent violence against children and the activities that she and her staff have undertaken to help member states in their efforts to eradicate violence. The Senator is involved in children's rights and safety in conjunction with his work in the US Senate and in conjuction with work in international forums. As a result of their meeting, the Senator mentioned possibly holding a congressional hearing on violence against children and it is anticipated that the expertise of the SRSG will be used in speaking to these organizations. It should also be noted, that Senator Menendez is currently involved in holding Committee hearings on the issue of domestic trafficking. Due to the work that the League of New Jersey as well as the work being carried out by the League's UN Observers are doing on the subject, both have been asked to provide research materials.